Two gang members found guilty of burglary

VICTORVILLE — Two San Bernardino County gang members Thursday were found guilty of burglarizing a Hesperia home, despite one saying he was bullied into committing the act by the other.

Jerome Julian, 21, and Julius Earl Edwards, 29, were both found guilty of one count of first-degree burglary with a gang enhancement and one count of street terrorism.

While testifying, Julian admitted to breaking into the Hesperia home of Shelly Jones and her family, none of whom were home at the time.

Julian tried to convince the jury that he had been beaten and robbed by Edwards in the past and that he was intimidated into participating in the robbery.

Both men were found by the jury to be part of the 357 Pomona Sin Town Crips who, according to Deputy District Attorney Robert Brown's closing argument, commit everything from assaults to car thefts to burglaries.

Julian, who admitted a prior conviction to the jury for selling crack, could face 12 years in prison.

Edwards has five previous felony convictions including one robbery and could face up to 26 years in prison. That number could be subject to change as Superior Court Judge Eric Nakata has to hold a hearing to confirm if Edwards' prior convictions are true.

"I'm pleased to see justice done," said Brown. "It's satisfying to see our fight against the cancer of criminal street gangs being successful."